Robber forces KFC employees into freezer

IMPERIAL BEACH  An armed robber wearing a dark-colored ski mask forced employees into a freezer during a heist Wednesday night at a KFC restaurant in Imperial Beach, a sheriff’s official said.

Deputies responded at 9:43 p.m. to a silent alarm at the business on 13th Street at Ebony Avenue.

The robber pointed a black handgun at employees and demanded money, sheriff’s Sgt. William Uelen said. After leading them to the freezer, he asked the manager to open the cash registers. The manager was then led back to the freezer, the sergeant said.

The employees were told stay in the freezer for 60 seconds, Uelen said. They were able to get out on their own.

The robber was described as black, and wearing a white long-sleeved button-up shirt with a tie, dark gloves and dark-colored pants.

The employees were not injured, Uelen said.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Imperial Beach sheriff’s station at (619) 498-2400, or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (888) 580-8477.